| abstract |
A process for the conversion of organic material into a gas rich in methane comprising: a) vaporizing the organic material in a closed chamber substantially free of oxygen and mixing the vaporized organic material with an excess amount of gaseous hydrogen and, optionally, steam superheated, at a temperature of 450 ° C to 650 ° C to form a first mixture; b) heating the first mixture in a second closed chamber substantially free of oxygen at a temperature of 600 ° C to 900 ° C in the presence of an excess amount of gaseous hydrogen and superheated steam to form a gaseous mixture comprising methane, hydrogen and acid; and c) neutralize the gas mixture with a base. |